Didi Hamann has claimed that the rivalries within club football has created division among the Germany squad.
Didi Hamann was speaking as Germany were preparing for their must win group game against Spain, following their shock defeat to Japan to kick off their tournament.
After a promising first half for Germany, where they created chances and played some nice football, Alvaro Morata's second half goal gave Spain the lead. Germany had to push bodies forward in a hope to get back into the game, and got an equaliser through Niclas Fullkrug's powerful strike to rescue a draw.
🇪🇸 1-1 🇩🇪
The net is well secured anyway...
Niclas Fullkrug rockets home the German equaliser
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The draw for Germany means it is still out of their hands going into the last round of games. They now must beat Japan and hope Spain defeat Costa Rica to go through.
Team Selection
It was another game for Germany where they missed several chances that could have won them the game. There was a noticeable improvement in their play going forward once they had a natural striker on the pitch.
After a disappointing performance in the defeat to Japan, Kai Havertz was dropped by Hansi Flick, with Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka brought into the side, with Thomas Muller the main striker, despite a goal drought for Germany in major tournaments.
With other strikers left on the bench in Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko, both of Borussia Dortmund, Didi Hamann has claimed Hansi Flick's loyalty to his former side is dividing the side.
🇦🇷 v 🇲🇽
Dietmar Hamann believes that kids are overcoached in their development, which leads to a lack of production of flair players.
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"What I have been told is there are groups within the team, it would explain parts of the performance in the first game. They've got quite a strong contingent from Bayern Munich, and also from Dortmund.
Dortmund haven't been too strongly represented in the last few years, but they've bought some very good young players, and they've got five or six players in the squad. There's six Bayern Munich players in the starting line up, and one Dortmund player Sule, who came from Bayern Munich.
Hansi Flick used to manage Bayern Munich. After the first game, there was Gnabry, Muller and Havertz. I think you could have taken any of them, or all three out of the team.
There is players for Dortmund, and if they played for a different club, the decision might have been a different one."
While these are very strong claims made by Didi Hamann, the evidence is there to support is claim. Bayern Munich have dominated the Bundesliga for the past decade, but goals have been an issue in this tournament for Germany, and they may have to turn to alternative options against Costa Rica.
SEE ALSO: A Lot Of People Agree With Didi Hamann's Interesting Take On Football Academies